How to Sign "Help"
To make the sign help, take your dominant hand in the 10 handshape and place it on top of your non dominant hand that is closed five handshape palm facing up. Then you will slightly move your hands up.
Examples Using "Help" in a Sentence
1
Can you help me?
To sign this, form the exact handshapes described, but instead of moving the hands straight up, move the entire sign from the person you are talking to toward your own chest. This shows the help is coming to you.
2
I will help you.
Form the sign with your dominant '10' handshape on your flat non-dominant palm. Move the joined hands away from your body and toward the person you are offering to help. The direction of the movement replaces the words 'I' and 'you'.
3
He needs help.
First, sign 'need' by bending your dominant 'X' finger downward. Then, form the sign for 'help' and move it slightly upward in a neutral space, or move it toward the specific person who requires the assistance.
How to Sign "Help"
To make the sign help, take your dominant hand in the 10 handshape and place it on top of your non dominant hand that is closed five handshape palm facing up. Then you will slightly move your hands up.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The visual logic of this sign is beautifully supportive. Your non-dominant hand acts as a firm foundation or a lifting platform. Your dominant hand, in the '10' handshape (which often represents a person or an object in ASL), rests on this platform. As you move both hands upward together, you are visually demonstrating the act of lifting someone up, supporting them, or giving them the boost they need to succeed.
Signing Tips
One of the best things about the sign for 'help' is that it is a directional verb. This means the direction you move your hands changes the meaning of the sentence! If you want to say 'help me,' pull the sign toward your chest. If you want to say 'I help you,' push the sign away from your body toward the other person. Always keep your non-dominant flat hand steady as a base for your dominant '10' handshape while moving them together.
Common Mistakes
A very common mistake for beginners is forgetting to use the non-dominant base hand entirely, which ends up just looking like a 'thumbs up' gesture. Remember that 'help' requires both hands working together. Another frequent error is moving the hands in the wrong direction. If you push the sign away from yourself when you actually mean 'help me,' you are accidentally telling the other person that you will help them instead!
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Help" in a Sentence
1Can you help me?
To sign this, form the exact handshapes described, but instead of moving the hands straight up, move the entire sign from the person you are talking to toward your own chest. This shows the help is coming to you.
2I will help you.
Form the sign with your dominant '10' handshape on your flat non-dominant palm. Move the joined hands away from your body and toward the person you are offering to help. The direction of the movement replaces the words 'I' and 'you'.
3He needs help.
First, sign 'need' by bending your dominant 'X' finger downward. Then, form the sign for 'help' and move it slightly upward in a neutral space, or move it toward the specific person who requires the assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I change the sign to say 'help me'?
'Help' is a directional sign. To say 'help me,' form the sign as described, but pull both hands toward your chest. The movement from the outside toward yourself indicates who is receiving the help.
Do I need to sign 'I' and 'you' when offering help?
Usually, no! Because 'help' is directional, moving the sign from your body toward the other person naturally translates to 'I help you.' You do not need to add extra signs for the pronouns.
What is the difference between an 'A' handshape and a '10' handshape here?
The '10' handshape is very similar to an 'A' handshape, but with the thumb extended straight up, exactly like a thumbs-up gesture. Make sure that extended thumb is pointing up while the hand rests on your flat palm.
ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!